Student loans...how much do you owe?

[LETRN]

I went to a private college for my BSN and I'm in the hole nearly $45K

Looking back, I wish I would have not been so impatient and applied at a nearby public university...but I was afraid I'd be stuck on a waiting list for ever and a day. Ah, well.

How about you?

[Argo]

I owe nothing. Paid as I went for my undergrad degree and my nursing degree. I just could not bring myself to take out loans like that. Those high numbers seem pretty crazy.

[RNYC]

The Army, Navy, and Air Force (if you qualify) can take care of big loans, and train you very well. Not for everyone though.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Nope, nada, zilcho.

Saved up for it. Took a loooooonnnng time. But no way was I going to have loans hanging over my head. Been there once before, didn't want to do it again.

[Soyrizo]

Nope, nada, zilcho.

Saved up for it. Took a loooooonnnng time. But no way was I going to have loans hanging over my head. Been there once before, didn't want to do it again.

Exactly. And when you have small children and other responsibilities, being able to pay for yourself even if it means taking some extra time is golden. I want to start saving as much as I can for retirement or paying for my own children's college than paying back more student loans.

[Work in Progress]

Still owe $20,000 for my first degree and now around $60K for my ABSN program (that includes cost of living expenses). This is a public university. I thought about community colleges, but the wait list was 5 years long in my area. I also couldn't save much when I was making below the poverty line in my first "career" (I use the term loosely). I try to tell myself that finishing in 18 months was worth the money when I will be making 300-400% more than my old job 5 1/2 years earlier than I would have going to CC. I have no regrets and, providing I get a job, I plan to try to take advantage of HRSA loan repayment by working in a disproportionate share hospital.

[RNYC]

Still owe $20,000 for my first degree and now around $60K for my ABSN program (that includes cost of living expenses). This is a public university. I thought about community colleges, but the wait list was 5 years long in my area. I also couldn't save much when I was making below the poverty line in my first "career" (I use the term loosely). I try to tell myself that finishing in 18 months was worth the money when I will be making 300-400% more than my old job 5 1/2 years earlier than I would have going to CC. I have no regrets and, providing I get a job, I plan to try to take advantage of HRSA loan repayment by working in a disproportionate share hospital.

I agree with you 1000%...waitlists for 5 years? lets say even that guy with 160k in loans didnt work 5 years and went to comm college with zero loans. Project a nurses salary conservatively with overtime and modest raises for the private school nurse with a BSN:

Year 1) 55k

Year 2) 60k

Year 3) 65k

Year 4) 70k

Year 5) 75k

Theres $325,000 in income vs. ZERO or the salary of the previous McJob lol...this is why people who say private school is crazy really crack me up! lol 325k vs. 65k? no brainer...get it done STAT and work was the plan for me. Now for people with family commitments I can totally understand. For those that can't stomach being in debt, I assure you money your losing in the long run on lost income supercedes the modest tuition and interest savings.

[NurseAdida]

I owe nothing,my folks paid it. Now am giving back to them in form of gifts...even though they never asked for it. My folks believe in paying for their kids college, am lucky:)

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Wow, a wait list? In my area they don't allow waits. So, you have to compete for entry anew the next time you apply. Also one college will not accept your sciences if over 5 years old. You would need to retake.

If I had not been accepted, I probably would have only applied one more time and then said fo-get-it. I am not 18 anymore by a long shot, LOL!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I owe slightly less than $13,000 in student loan debt, which was accrued while attending a private LPN-to-RN bridge ADN program at a trade school.

I don't regret borrowing the money because the education will pay for itself many times over. People borrow $13,000 to finance cars that depreciate in value. I'd much rather borrow $13,000 to put toward an education that will only increase in value. It is a good way of investing in human capital.

[CFitzRN, ADN]

Paid as I went so owe nothing. Community college. My entire ADN was only about $5000. What a deal!

[Soyrizo]

There aren't 5 year waiting lists here for community college. Generally 2 semesters of pre-reqs then, at most, 2 semesters of wait list which most people spend finishing all the non-nursing classes. Most people are working full-time, often in healthcare, or stay at home parents transitioning into a new career. You could go for a bachelors, but they're either very competitive and expensive or substandard education.

[StNeotser, ASN, RN]

I borrowed $1500 back in 2002. I've paid it back but that was when community college credits ran about $85 per credit hour.

Haven't done the BSN yet.